The Nervous System Read Online Free PDF Page A

unused.
    The senator stands for a moment, his back to me, sagging a touch but every bit as large as his rep, at least within the neighborhood. Old-school conk: no self-respecting black man of my generation would undergo such a procedure. Only the trannies. No. Natural is the way of the righteous. I speak of course for myself here.
    Howard inflates, rotates his large frame, and presents me an expansive politician’s smile. Big man’s got his famous cane on him, rosewood with a copper horse head, its tongue extended.
    â€œSon, apologies are in order. I’m not in the habit of pulling people out of bed in such a way.”
    He’s got one of those voices. Velvet, and a couple decades of cigarettes. A voice that sells Jesus and legislation.
    â€œYeah … well, fuck it, apology accepted, Grandpa.” Rub my wrists, the red marks there. “Seen you on C-SPAN back when. I dig your strong position on immigration, sir. And on those goddamn uppity unions.” I tsk, wag my head in faux disbelief.
    If he reads my snark, the good senator makes no indication. In fact, if anything, he brightens.
    â€œHa. C-SPAN! Now that’s television that’d put near any man to sleep. Whole lot of people talking to themselves just to hear themselves talk. Son, let me get right down to the nitty-gritty.”
    â€œPlease do, boss,” I say, trying to radiate togetherness but reckoning: this cannot be good on any level.
    â€œI have … excuse me.” The senator produces a silky handkerchief and sneezes explosively.
    Can’t help it, I flinch, thinking: New strain of the superflu? Something I’m not inoculated against? My noggin just goes straight there and lingers.
    Man, for some Purell TM . And me in my jammies. Surgical mask hanging around my neck, useless, how slack am I. Deserve whatever I get.
    â€œPardon me once more.” The senator dabs at his nostrils. There’s a monogram, CDH , middle name Douglass.
    Fuck me sideways. The DA’s files. I know exactly why I’m here.
    Senator saying, “The air in these buildings tends to just plain dry me out. Well, sir. As it happens I am looking for a mutual friend of ours. I’ve fallen out of touch with the man of late, and I must say I’m just a bit concerned. District Attorney Daniel Rosenblatt?”
    Squint a bit, as if trying to make a connection. Nod. This heading where I figured it would head.
    â€œYeah,” I say. “Me, I’ve been trying to track him down myself.”
    â€œIs that a fact?” says the senator, smile locked in place.
    â€œThat’s right. As you probably know, I do occasional work for Mr. Rosenblatt. Haven’t seen him for, what, six weeks, thereabouts. Talked to him, though, maybe last week.”
    Making up smack. Spot where they hit me with that taser hurting like a bastard.
    The senator purses his lips and leans back against a table. Taps his cane on the floor. Shit, this guy doesn’t need a cane. I could use a motherfucking cane, and not just as an affectation.
    â€œWell, that is a shame. Goodness, I would have thought you’d be the man to talk to here. As it happens, son, you were seen only just last night, leaving Mr. Rosenblatt’s office. Took us awhile to make the connection and track you down again … but when we did, I figured, well, we should have a little chat.”
    Trying to fuck me up. Damn. The possibility of a piece of the DA’s implant in my arm still giving off a signal occurs to me only now. Though I thought it got dug out. I don’t falter, having anticipated something like this.
    Say, “That’s right, and I was surprised to find Daniel wasn’t there. We had an appointment. What’s more, I think the joint was looted. The door was broken, whole spot looked kind of torn up, vandalized.”
    I’m just freestyling. Wandered into a big fucking mess here. Keep it poker-faced.
    â€œAh yes,” says the senator, all